DESPITE the turbulent economic conditions, the number of UK businesses is on the rise.
Fresh figures from the Department for Business and Trade show there are 5.7million firms registered, an increase of 191,000 from 2024.
Entrepreneur Theo Paphitis was a regular on BBC business show Dragons’ Den[/caption]
We’ve teamed up with Theo to see what’s changed in the last decade[/caption]
This growth is being driven by sole traders and microbusiness, as more people start side hustles or decide to work for themselves.
One of the biggest cheerleaders for small firms is British-Cypriot entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, who was a regular on BBC business show Dragons’ Den.
He owns a string of high street favourites, including stationers Ryman, homeware specialist Robert Dyas, lingerie business Boux Avenue and art and design store London Graphic Centre.
Through his Small Business Sunday campaign, he has mentored thousands of fledgling firms and helped start-ups across the country.
This weekend marks the 15th anniversary of Small Business Sunday, so we’ve teamed up with Theo to see what’s changed over the years and reveal his top tips for growing your small firm to a big one in 2025 and beyond.
Theo explains: “Fifteen years ago, I sat at my kitchen table on a Sunday night and I started #SBS Small Business Sunday by accident.
“I was on Dragons’ Den at the time, had quickly gained 50,000 followers on Twitter, and thought why not use this platform to give small businesses a marketing boost that I could only have dreamt of when I started out?
“The next Sunday, they (small business owners) messaged me again, and then the following Sunday the same again, and it became a regular Sunday night slot.”
Small firms can reach Theo on the platform, now X, plus LinkedIn and Instagram every Sunday between 5pm and 7.30pm.
So far, more than 4,500 companies have benefited from his advice.
Each week, he chooses a winner from firms that pitch to him and shares their details with his followers.
He added: “The difference between starting a business in 2025 compared to 2010 is like chalk and cheese.
“The passion of small business owners is the same, but the tools at their disposal are very, very different now.
“It’s tech that is the big gamechanger. Entrepreneurs should grab this with both hands and make it count.”
l Learn more about Theo’s free small business community at theopaphitissbs.com.
‘HIS HELP HAD A BIG SNOWBALL EFFECT’
SALLY DEAR, owner of kids’ clothing brand DuckyZebra.com, was a winner of Theo’s Small Business Sunday.
She said: “Winning #SBS has had a real snowball effect on Ducky Zebra.
“It started with one small tweet and has led to incredible opportunities, from joining a supportive community of inspiring businesses to winning a highly competitive stand at the NEC Birmingham’s Spring Fair.
“That experience helped us grow our UK stockist numbers to over 30, win Pitch Live (a scheme in which small firms can pitch to investors for a cash injection) and, most importantly, build the confidence to secure a fantastic licensing deal with The Roald Dahl Story Company.
“As a founder with dyslexia, Theo’s support and belief that dyslexia is a superpower has been hugely empowering.
“It’s made me believe even more in myself and what Ducky Zebra stands for – sustainable childrenswear that’s thoughtfully made and free from harmful stereotypes.”
…AND HERE ARE HIS 9 TOP TIPS FOR START-UPS
- Don’t see yourself as just a small business. Understand what you bring to the table.
- Dream big. Every business starts with a dream and you need that spark to push you forward.
- Along the way, it’s OK to fail, but fail quickly, learn from it and go again.
- AI is your time saver on those tricky jobs and filling in the gaps in expertise. Use it with common sense and avoid it at your peril.
- Data is everything now — it will help you understand your customer, create a strategy and cement your reason to exist.
- If you need funding, look at crowdfunding to get started and open up new opportunities.
- It’s essential to be socially aware and give back to your community. Think sustainably and understand the importance of supply chains.
- Cash is king. Turnover is vanity, profit is sanity, but if you run out of cash, it’s a heart attack.
- Take calculated risks and know your numbers.
GET BEST OUT OF DYSLEXIC THINKERS
IT is Dyslexia Awareness Week, with research from Virgin StartUp showing dyslexic entrepreneurs contribute £4.6billion to GDP each year.
However, recruitment firm Randstad Enterprise suggests dyslexic staff could add a total of £98.2billion to the economy, as currently only 30 per cent feel fully empowered at work.
Kate Griggs, founder of charity Made By Dyslexia, said: “One in five people are dyslexic and typically excel in areas like creative thinking, complex problem-solving, communication and interpersonal skills.
“These are now the most valuable skills in today’s AI-powered workplaces.”
Here, she shares her advice on building workplaces where dyslexic thinkers can thrive . . .
DEFINE DYSLEXIA AS A VALUABLE SKILL
Recognising dyslexia as a different way of thinking – not a disadvantage – creates a culture where dyslexic thinkers feel valued. Shifting language from critical to supportive is one of the quickest and most powerful ways to transform a workplace.
PUT SUPPORT IN PLACE
Every dyslexic person has their own pattern of strengths and challenges. Encouraging employees to explain these – and what they need to lean into their dyslexic thinking – allows them to do their best work. AI is a game-changer for support.
TAILOR RECRUITMENT PROCESSES
Acknowledge dyslexic thinking in recruitment material to show you value it. Train HR and Talent teams in what dyslexic thinking is. Ensure role profiles and job adverts specify skills such as creativity and problem-solving. Ask dyslexic employees to test your process and highlight barriers.
CATEGORISE IT RIGHT
Define dyslexia as both a neurodiversity and a skill. Don’t stereotype it as a disability.
ENCOURAGE NETWORKS
Affinity groups such as dyslexic networks provide support and create a sense of belonging. They also help attract and retain dyslexic talent, as candidates favour workplaces where they feel understood and valued.
STAFF CARE VITAL
MORE than a quarter of workers believe that their employer is responsible for their wellbeing – the same number who feel it is their GP’s duty.
But only 29 per cent of staff believe their bosses genuinely care about it.
Nine in ten employees agree that businesses who care for their staff retain them for longer, and four in five believe good wellbeing policies help to attract a more diverse group of workers.
Chris Britton, from employee benefits platform Reward Gateway, which conducted the study, said: “As sourcing and retaining talent becomes harder, companies who fail to meet the wellbeing demands of their employees risk losing staff, reducing productivity and damaging their bottom line.”
ON YOUR MARKS…
ALMOST one in four people begins their career in the retail sector, which is more than double any other UK industry.
However, a new study from Marks & Spencer and the Centre for Economics and Business Research shows 16 per cent of young people have been rejected for more than 50 jobs.
To help create more opportunities, the Marks & Start scheme provides four weeks of work experience in partnership with The King’s Trust for young people who face the biggest barriers.
Marks & Spencer CEO Stuart Machin said: “Retail is a powerful engine of social mobility.
“When so many young people are struggling to get their foot on the ladder, it can give them that first crucial opportunity.”
See kingstrust.org.uk.
JOBSPOT
COSTA COFFEE has brewed up 400 festive barista roles this Christmas. Search for your closest job at costacareers.co.uk.
MANGO is hiring for 120 seasonal sales assistant roles across the UK, with successful applicants enjoying a 35 per cent staff discount. Apply at jobs.mango.com/en.
